When the dismembered body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was pulled from a towed Tesla in Los Angeles last September, no one expected it to lead to a rising music star. But on November 19, 2025, KTLA 5 broke the story: 20-year-old R&B artist D4vd, whose real name remains undisclosed, is now a suspect in her murder. The vehicle, investigators say, had been parked just one block from his Hollywood Hills rental. The discovery—made by tow yard workers—turned a missing persons case into a chilling homicide investigation. And the details? They’re getting darker by the day.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
Celeste vanished in late spring 2025. Her family reported her missing in June, but with no signs of foul play, the case languished. Then, on or around September 19, 2025, a Tesla registered to D4vd was towed from a residential street in Hollywood Hills to an unnamed facility in the San Fernando Valley. Workers noticed something odd: a strange odor, and then—blood. Inside the trunk, they found human remains, dismembered and wrapped in plastic. Forensic analysis confirmed it was Celeste. The vehicle had been moved, cleaned, and left behind—possibly in an attempt to erase evidence.Why D4vd? The Evidence Piling Up
D4vd wasn’t just the car’s owner—he was its only known driver during the critical window. According to KTLA 5’s exclusive report, law enforcement sources confirmed he was on tour when the body was found, but not when the crime likely occurred. Investigators have traced the Tesla’s GPS data back to his rental home, and cell tower pings place him in the area on multiple occasions between May and August 2025. That’s the window they believe Celeste was killed. But the most disturbing piece? A mysterious trip. TMZ reported detectives are scrutinizing a solo journey D4vd took to a remote part of Santa Barbara County in April 2025—during the height of his album recording sessions. He left at 2 a.m., stayed for six hours, and returned without explanation. No witnesses. No receipts. No digital footprint beyond the car’s location history.Was There Help? The Accomplice Question
Here’s the twist: authorities don’t believe D4vd acted alone. KTLA 5’s reporter Mary Beth McDade, citing law enforcement sources, stated plainly: “THIS AS A HOMICIDE. PLUS NEW REPORTS ARE SURFACING THAT THE SINGER MAY HAVE HAD HELP DISPOSING OF HER BODY.” TMZ echoed this, noting detectives are reviewing text messages, social media activity, and security footage from the rental property and nearby gas stations. One unnamed source told reporters they’re looking at “two or three people” who may have assisted with the body’s transport or cleanup. It’s a terrifying thought. A 15-year-old girl, alone. A young artist, famous enough to be streaming to millions, but seemingly isolated enough to commit—or conceal—a horror.The Public Reaction: Fame Meets Horror
D4vd, born David, had been on a meteoric rise. With over 2 million monthly Spotify listeners as of October 2025, his moody, atmospheric R&B drew comparisons to Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. His debut album, Chaos in Bloom, dropped in March 2025 and hit No. 12 on Billboard’s R&B chart. Concert tickets sold out in minutes. Now, his name is synonymous with a crime that has shaken Los Angeles. Fans are divided. Some cling to denial. Others are calling for accountability. Social media has exploded with #JusticeForCeleste and #D4vdIsGuilty. His label, Interscope Records, has issued no public statement. His social media accounts remain silent since September 20, 2025.
What Happens Next?
California law requires prosecutors to file felony charges within 48 hours of an arrest. But as of November 19, 2025, no arrest has been made. That doesn’t mean the case is cooling. Forensic teams are still analyzing the Tesla for DNA, fibers, and digital traces. Investigators are reviewing D4vd’s phone records from the spring and summer. They’re also interviewing neighbors who reported seeing a young woman with dark hair near his home in July. The Los Angeles Police Department has not released an official suspect list. But sources say D4vd is the only person with direct, physical, and temporal ties to both the victim and the vehicle. If charges are filed, it could be the most shocking music industry scandal since the 2000s R. Kelly case.Why This Matters
This isn’t just about a singer. It’s about how easily a teenager can vanish—and how fame can obscure truth. Celeste didn’t have millions of followers. She didn’t have a record deal. She had a family, a school, friends who still leave flowers at her locker. Meanwhile, the man police now suspect has a global audience, a streaming profile, and a carefully curated image. The system failed Celeste long before her body was found. Now, the public is watching to see if justice will catch up.Frequently Asked Questions
How did investigators link D4vd to the Tesla and the crime scene?
Investigators used vehicle registration records, GPS data from the Tesla’s onboard system, and cell tower triangulation to place D4vd at his Hollywood Hills rental during the time Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive. Forensic teams also found trace evidence—blood, hair, and plastic fibers—matching the victim’s profile inside the car’s trunk and door seals, which were cleaned but not fully erased.
Why is the Santa Barbara County trip significant?
D4vd’s unexplained overnight trip to a remote area of Santa Barbara County in April 2025—during the suspected time of Celeste’s death—raises red flags. No alibi exists for those six hours. The location, near a state park with minimal surveillance, matches the type of remote site where bodies are sometimes disposed of. Detectives believe it may have been a dry run or a burial site before the final move to the Tesla.
Could D4vd be cleared if no arrest is made?
Not necessarily. Without an arrest, charges can’t be filed, but the investigation remains open. Law enforcement can continue gathering evidence for months—even years. If new witnesses come forward or digital evidence surfaces, prosecutors could still bring charges later. Silence doesn’t equal innocence; it often means the case is still being built.
What role did KTLA 5 and TMZ play in uncovering this story?
KTLA 5, with its deep ties to LAPD sources, broke the initial suspect link, while TMZ provided crucial context about the Santa Barbara trip and potential accomplices. Both outlets relied on anonymous law enforcement sources, which is common in active investigations. Their reporting pushed the case into the public eye, increasing pressure on authorities to act—and possibly prompting new tips from the public.
Is there any indication Celeste knew D4vd?
No direct connection has been confirmed. Celeste was a high school sophomore with no known social media presence linked to D4vd. Investigators are reviewing school records, local hangouts, and mutual acquaintances to determine if they crossed paths—perhaps at a concert, online, or through a friend. Until then, the nature of their relationship remains one of the case’s biggest mysteries.
What’s the likelihood of charges being filed?
Based on current evidence, charges are likely if prosecutors believe they can prove intent and opportunity. The forensic link to the Tesla is strong. The unexplained trip and lack of alibi weaken D4vd’s defense. With two major media outlets corroborating law enforcement sources, and public pressure mounting, a filing within the next 30 days is plausible—if the LAPD completes its forensic review in time.